In short: Travelling overseas often means getting vaccinated before you go — and some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination to enter. Yellow fever vaccine can only be given at an approved Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre, but your GP in Melbourne's west can plan your whole travel vaccination schedule and advise on your yellow fever requirements. See a doctor 6–8 weeks before you travel.
Why Do I Need Travel Vaccinations?
Some diseases that are rare in Australia are still common in other parts of the world. Travel vaccinations protect you against illnesses you may be exposed to overseas — through food and water, insect bites, or contact with other people — that could cut your trip short or cause serious harm.
Which vaccines you need depends on where you are going, what you will be doing, how long you are staying, and your own health and vaccination history. A travel health consultation with your GP brings all of this together into a plan tailored to your trip.
When Should I See a Doctor Before Travelling?
Ideally, book your travel health appointment 6 to 8 weeks before you leave. Some vaccines need to be given in a course of several doses over weeks, and some (including yellow fever) only become effective a set number of days after vaccination. Leaving enough time means you are properly protected before you go.
If your trip is sooner than that, it is still worth seeing your GP — some protection is better than none, and there may still be time for important vaccines.
What Is Yellow Fever and Who Needs the Vaccine?
Yellow fever is a serious viral disease spread by mosquitoes in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America. There is no specific cure, so prevention through vaccination is important if you are travelling to a risk area.
There are two reasons you might need the yellow fever vaccine:
- For your own protection, if you are travelling to a country or region where yellow fever occurs
- To meet entry requirements, because some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination — an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) — to enter, particularly if you are arriving from, or have travelled through, a country with a risk of yellow fever
Checking the entry requirements for every country on your itinerary (including stopovers) is an important part of planning.
How the Yellow Fever Vaccine and Certificate Work
A few key points about yellow fever vaccination in Australia:
- The vaccine can only be given at an approved Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre, which is approved by the relevant state or territory health authority
- Your International Certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination
- The certificate is now recognised as valid for the life of the vaccinated person
- For some people — for example those who are pregnant, have a weakened immune system, or are over a certain age — the vaccine may not be suitable, and a doctor can discuss alternatives such as a medical exemption letter where appropriate
Because yellow fever vaccination must be done at an approved centre, your GP's role is to assess your needs, confirm whether your destinations require it, and direct you to an approved Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre when needed — while organising your other travel vaccines.
What Other Travel Vaccinations Might I Need?
Depending on your destination and activities, your GP may recommend vaccines such as:
- Hepatitis A and hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Cholera
- Rabies
- Japanese encephalitis
- Meningococcal disease (required for some destinations, such as for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims)
Your GP will also check that your routine vaccinations are up to date, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough (dTpa), polio and influenza, as outbreaks of these still occur overseas.
You can read more about the travel vaccines we offer in our guide to travel vaccinations in Truganina, and about our travel medicine service.
How Do I Check the Requirements for My Destination?
Entry requirements and health risks change, so always check current advice for each country on your itinerary before you travel. The Australian Government's Smartraveller service publishes up-to-date destination information, including health and entry requirements. Your GP will also use trusted travel health resources to tailor recommendations to your trip.
Travel Health and Vaccinations at Our Truganina Clinic
Our GPs at Reliance Care Medical Centre in Truganina — convenient for families across Melbourne's west — provide travel health consultations and many travel vaccinations on-site. We can assess your itinerary, plan your vaccination schedule, advise on yellow fever and certificate requirements, and direct you to an approved Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre where needed.
To plan ahead for your trip, book an appointment online or call us on (03) 9958 6699. Please note some travel vaccinations and travel consultations attract a private fee, which our team will explain when you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I get travel vaccinations before going overseas?
Ideally, see your GP 6 to 8 weeks before you travel. Some vaccines are given as a course of several doses over weeks, and some only become effective a set number of days after vaccination. Booking early means you are properly protected before departure. If your trip is sooner, it is still worth seeing your GP, as some vaccines may still help.
Where can I get the yellow fever vaccine in Australia?
The yellow fever vaccine can only be given at an approved Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre, which is approved by the relevant state or territory health authority. Your GP can assess whether your destinations require it and direct you to an approved centre, while organising your other travel vaccines. Your certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate to travel?
Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination — an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis — to enter, particularly if you are arriving from or have travelled through a country with a risk of yellow fever. Requirements depend on your itinerary, including stopovers, so check the entry requirements for every country before you travel.
How long is the yellow fever vaccination valid?
The yellow fever certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination and is now recognised as valid for the life of the vaccinated person. This means a single dose is generally sufficient for most travellers, though you should confirm requirements for your specific destinations, as rules can change.
What travel vaccinations might I need?
This depends on where you are going and what you will be doing. Common travel vaccines include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, cholera, rabies, Japanese encephalitis and, for some destinations, meningococcal disease. Your GP will also check your routine vaccinations, such as MMR, dTpa, polio and influenza, are up to date.
Are travel vaccinations bulk billed?
Some travel vaccinations and travel health consultations attract a private fee, as Medicare does not cover all travel-related services. Costs depend on the vaccines you need. Our reception team will explain any fees when you book, so you know what to expect before your appointment.
Trusted Sources for Further Reading
- Healthdirect Australia — Yellow fever
- The Australian Immunisation Handbook — Yellow fever
- Smartraveller (Australian Government) — Destinations
This article is for general information only and does not replace professional medical advice. Entry requirements and health risks change — always check current advice for your destination and consult your GP or a travel health clinic before you travel.
